What’s New in the Public Beta 2 Version of Apple’s iOS 17.6?

5 min readJul 7, 2024

Introduction to iOS 17.6 Public Beta 2

Apple published the second public beta of iOS 17.6, continuing its iterative and user-focused improvements. This release adds features, speed improvements, and bug fixes to improve user experience. This beta lets customers test and provide input on iOS’s latest features while Apple iOS prepares for the final release.

Highlights of iOS 17.6 Beta 2

User Interface Revamp

The second public beta of iOS 17.6 improves navigation and aesthetics. UI improvements include:

Improved Home Screen: Interactive widgets and changeable wallpapers personalise the user experience.

Cleaner Notification Centre: Better notification grouping and prioritisation keep users organised and focused.

Smoother Animations: Refined animations make interfaces more fluid and responsive.

Better performance

iOS 17.6 Beta 2 prioritises performance to improve user experience. Improvements in performance include:

Optimisations speed up app launches, making commonly used apps easier to operate.
Even with heavy use, advanced power management capabilities extend battery life.
More stable Bug fixes and stability improvements reduce crashes and improve system reliability.

Advanced Security

With various new data and privacy protection features, iOS 17.6 Beta 2 prioritises security. The main security improvements are:

Stronger Data Encryption

Stronger encryption algorithms protect sensitive data.

Privacy Dashboard

A new privacy dashboard gives customers more control over their data by showing app permissions and data consumption.

Real-Time Threat Detection

Better algorithms protect against malware and other security risks.

New, improved apps

Many native apps get major upgrades in iOS 17.6 Beta 2, improving functionality and user experience. Improvements to the app include:

Redesigned Messages App: Better group conversations, message reactions, and multimedia capabilities.

Upgraded Safari Browser: Better performance, privacy, and web standards support improve browsing.

Health App Updates: Better health tracking and third-party app integration.

Creative Features and Integrations

iOS 17.6 Beta 2 adds new features and integrations to improve the iOS Beta 2 experience. Notable innovations include:

Universal Control

Improved Universal Control compatibility streamlines iOS-Mac interaction, making multitasking easier.

Focus Modes

New Focus Modes help users stay productive by tailoring experiences for work, personal time, and sleep.

Augmented Reality Enhancements

More immersive and interactive AR experiences support a wide range of AR apps and games.

Installing iOS 17.6 Public Beta 2

Eligibility, Registration

Apple Beta Software Programme registration is required to participate in iOS 17.6 Beta. Anyone with an iOS smartphone can register for free. Register by following these steps:

Access the Apple Beta Software Programme webpage.
Enter your Apple ID.
Register your iOS device for beta.

Beta download and installation

Registration required to download and install iOS 17.6 Public Beta 2:

Backup Your Device: Before installing the beta, backup your smartphone with iCloud or iTunes.

Download Beta Profile: Access the Apple Beta Software Programme website on your iOS device and download the beta profile.

Install Profile: Install the downloaded beta profile under Settings > General > Profile.

Update Your Device: After installing the profile, download and update iOS 17.6 Public Beta 2 from Settings > General > Software Update.

User Feedback and Future Changes

Giving Feedback

Apple wants beta testers to share their iOS 17.6 Beta 2 experiences. Feedback is essential for finding bugs, improving features, and releasing a polished product. Give feedback:

Launch Feedback Assistant for iOS.
Provide specific comments on concerns and improvement suggestions.

Expected Finish

Apple will make enhancements based on beta testing feedback. Final iOS 17.6 is expected later this year, offering a polished and enhanced OS to all eligible devices.

Features iOS 17.6 Beta 2

It appears that stability and bug fixes will take precedence over a plethora of new features in Apple’s iOS 17.6 update, which is presently undergoing beta testing. This makes sense given that it’s probably the last significant update before to the September 2024 release of iOS 18. Let’s examine what iOS 17.6 has in store for us:

Apple TV’s Catch Up for Sports Fans app

The Apple TV app’s “Catch Up” feature is the most noteworthy change to iOS 17.6. By letting people watch critical moments and highlights from live games they stayed up late to watch, this appeals to sports fans. Get directly into the action instead of waiting to watch the entire match from the start! Now incorporated into the larger Apple TV app, this capability was first unveiled with the MLS Season Pass.

Enhancements to Performance and Stability:

iOS 17.6 seems to be primarily focused on optimising system speed and resolving any remaining bugs. Ensuring a seamless and effective user experience is crucial. Better energy optimisation, more fluid animations, and faster app launches are all to be expected.

Possibility of Undiscovered Jewels:

Even though there haven’t been many features disclosed other than Catch Up, Apple frequently includes some surprises in their final releases. Look for ways to improve the functionality that is already there or make minor adjustments to the user interface.

A Preview of iOS 18

The real excitement is probably in what Apple has in store for a iOS 18, as iOS 17.6 is probably just a polishing update. iOS could witness notable developments in the following areas:

More Personalisation:

iOS 18 may offer more iPhone customisation possibilities as customisation becomes increasingly popular. This includes better lock screen control, widget customisation, and ringtone and notification sound customisation.

Improved Features for Health & Fitness

Apple has long placed a strong emphasis on health and wellness with its products, and iOS 18 may bring further features that make the most of the iPhone‘s potential. Consider cutting-edge stress management techniques, sleep tracking, or even smart gym equipment integration.

Integration of AR and VR

AR and VR can revolutionise technology despite their youth. Apple may improve ARKit and RealityKit frameworks for developers in iOS 18 to create more immersive experiences.

App Store Updates and Enhancements

The App Store may get a makeover to make it simpler to browse across various categories and find high-quality apps. Additionally, they might see updates to the apps themselves, such enhanced multitasking or more connection with Apple’s ecosystem.

Pay Attention to Security and Privacy

iOS 18 is probably going to carry on Apple’s well-known tradition of prioritising customer privacy. More tools to enable users to regulate their online profile, tighter controls over app permissions, and improvements to data protection features are all possible.

Conclusion

Apple’s second public beta of iOS 17.6 shows its dedication to user experience through creative features, performance enhancements, and better security. Users may shape iOS’s future and get early access to new features by joining the beta programme. Apple is refining iOS 17.6 based on user feedback to create a strong and feature-rich operating system that suits the different needs of its worldwide user base.